Living in Gratitude

Ok, so I get a little (a lot) of flack sometimes for my enthusiasm for life. Fair enough, I can be a little obnoxious sometimes, but I think with a little explanation will help to shed a little light ;)

I think there is a misconception that optimists are either:
1. just lucky people that don't encounter the hardships that others do or
2. they just don't live in reality.

Well I would argue that while there are many people living out in Lala land, the majority of those who choose to live optimistically are or have in the past made a conscious effort to change their thinking.
I can definitely attest to that fact that everyone encounters stress and challenges but it is how you view them that makes the difference.

For example work can be stressful and hectic for me, but instead of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, I stop myself and think, "wow, I have a job that allows me to make an income, do something I love and care about and enables me to be able to help support my family and all the things we love to do". Huh...suddenly work doesn't seen so bad and that never ending stream of emails and tasks isn't a chore, but an opportunity.

I think all too often it is far easier to focus on the things that we don't have or the things we "have" to do, or whatever went wrong that day. I have definitely been guilty of going to bed and thinking about something stressful from the day. It's a not a great way to end the day and it is definitely not going to be a good way to start the next day.

The other night I was tucking in my disgruntled 6 year old. He gave me a laundry list of the things that had gone wrong that day (argument with brother, didn't get to pick the job he wanted at school, didn't get ice cream after dinner...). So there he sat with his lip out and I thought....OPPORTUNITY! It was so evident in this moment that it is not innate to be grateful and it is something we learn. So I asked him "what went right today? What made you happy?" He shrugs...ok....nudge...."Did you make a great art project?" Nods..."Did you play PS3?" Nods..."Did you play with your friends" Nods....Suddenly he is smiling and ending his day of a positive note. I said, "that is why you had a great day!".

Ok, that is enough for my public service announcement (for now)..Smile, seriously, what do you have to lose?

All Grow'd Up

Ok, I would like to say that I have been a horribly negligent blogger...yes it is true....I have slacked....I am sorry....ok, can we move on? Good! Glad we got that out of the way!

Today my baby girl is no longer a baby :( She is an amazingly chatty and brilliantly happy little 3 year old :)

3 years ago today she was born (much to my surprise) on her due date. Who knew that could happen?? Without being induced (who knew that could happen either???

She was bright eyed and peaceful right from the start. As soon as she could move she started to assess the situation and plot how she could establish control of these minions living in her house (her pink house at the time). She learned that with a delightfully high pitched shriek her brothers would drop whatever they were playing with and flee. Hmmmm this was an interesting start....She quickly rose through the ranks of siblings, establishing her ability to dominate any playtime, mealtime, bedtime situation. We quickly learned that raising boys and girls is very different!

She is a sweethearted and nurturing girl who will run to give hugs when you walk through the door and kisses boo-boos better.
She speaks in 10 word sentences and constantly has everyone in giggles.

I am so lucky to have such an amazing daughter :)

My New Adventure

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr

A poem I memorized about 20 years ago. I loved it and it has resonated with me for years. Wouldn't it be amazing to have this experience to actual feel the sunlit silence??
Last week I made my dream a reality and started flight school and two days ago I flew my first airplane.
I was nervous beyond belief. Would I panic?? Would I vomit?? Nearly the minute we were off the ground my fears were gone and I was soaring. It was the most amazingly freeing and empowering moment. I am hooked!

Antiprocrastinationism

A friend of mine has spurred me on to start taking some initiative to do the things I have been long thinking of but have not put into action.
In recent years (and still now) the majority of my time is focused around others needs. I love it and being able to take care of my family, but there are also things that I have been putting off because they seem like "just one more thing".
But thanks to my friend I took a jump :)
I have long been a supporter of volunteer work and I really enjoy being around like minded people. People in human service volunteer settings are happy to be there and are doing something that they enjoy.
I took this nudge from a friend as a good opportunity to get back into the volunteer world. I sent in an application to be a volunteer advocate for children in the foster care system. I went for my interview last week and I was petrified! I hadn't been on that side of the interview table in several years. But about 5 minutes into it I was fine. Everyone was just as I had suspected, nice, warm and friendly. It just felt good to be there even if it was for an interview.
I am excited to start the trainings next month and more excited to be back into that world.
A big part of me would love to leave the corporate world and get back into non-profits, but at this point the hours and little pay would not be feasible, so this seems like a great compromise!

Now that this plan is in motion I will start on my next adventure!

A Little Slice O' Heaven

I have to admit that I have been dreaming of this house for a long time and putting a great deal of time and effort into fantasizing about how wonderfully peaceful it would be. I have to admit that I really got my hopes up about just how perfect this house would be and after a couple weeks in the house and much thought I have come to the conclusion that I was absolutely right. I LOVE it when that happens (it's infrequent so I relish).
It is quiet, calm, clean, and peaceful. We have amazing views and the air is clear and the night sky is speckled with stars! I had forgot how many after years of city life.

It is great to be able to step away from my desk and sit on the desk and just be there. I swear my level of stress has dropped about 10 points in the past week just by a location shift.
Ahhhhhhh home sweet home........

5 Things..that made me smile today

I enjoy random things and do my best to appreciate them in the moment and take them for what they are worth. I think often we just don't notice them or they fade/blend into all the other stuff.
Here are five things that made me smile today:

1. I was cutting the lawn for the last time in Massachusetts and I though "hey this isn't so bad" (even if it is a guys job!

2. I am bringing in the 7 recycle bins from the curb and I saw "made in Canada" on the handle. Of course they are made in Canada! Yay Canada!

3. I went to pick the boys up from school and as K and I are walking down the stairs to the playground and chatting I hear L's voice come from the bathroom "I'm pulling up my pants mom!". I giggled :) There were other parents there...they giggled too.

4. I just burnt my veggie burger after making great cheese burgers for the kids and thought "it's ok, it's just for me" and realized, I'm an ok mom.

5. We got word we may close on the house soon. That was awesome news :)

They Plan Ahead and Coordinate!

I have come to a startling conclusion today...my children plan, plot and then coordinate their acts of destruction!
Today was one disaster after another.
Finally I felt I had a 10 minute break to look at furniture online (so we'd have something in the new house). In that time the kitchen was flooded using tupperware and water from the watercooler and spatulas, the bathroom had been covered in liquid soap and they all had pudding and crackers....10 minutes folks!
Later L took the initiative to wash his own hair.....too bad it was in the toilet.....

Sensing my distress about the house looking like a disaster, A gets a mop and starts cleaning...only to have it turn into a jousting competition between him and L using a broom.

Is it almost bed time????

I swear no one can come up with these things on the spot. They must email and coordinate the night before. If 3 singletons can gang up on me this much imagine what John and Kate are in for...that brings me comfort in an odd way.....